Cloud Computing Saves alpha trans Thousands
One year ago Munich-based freight forwarder alpha trans introduced “Scope”, the new transport management software for air and sea cargo from Riege Software International, as a pilot customer. The textile logistics forwarder now estimates the annual cost savings from eliminating its own server capacity at more than 25,000 euros a year.
Meerbusch, Germany – Since 2009 the five branches of alpha trans have gradually introduced the Scope modules for air freight imports and exports as well as customs. After using the earlier version of Scope for all its freight forwarding orders, alpha trans issued a tender for a new TMS solution which Riege Software International successfully won. The new software was then developed in close cooperation with alpha trans, incorporating the requirements from head office and the branch offices in terms of forwarding, customs and book-keeping. Riege creates software solutions for its clients by using “private clouds”. Their use and access are exclusively available to one single client in order to guarantee data control, security and quality.
Since the end of 2009 all the alpha trans branches have been using the Scope modules for air cargo imports and exports as well as customs. Some 70 employees process about 3,000 forwarding orders every month with the new software. Staff are able to access directly all the relevant information which is stored on servers in the Riege computing centre.
“Thanks to the new Scope solution, we can evaluate information better, have more transparency and less manual workload,” commented Friedemann Eichenseher, managing director of alpha trans. The Scope system enables forwarding staff to administer all types of documents and has open interfaces, such as for book-keeping or customer-specific systems. Customers are thus able to generate substantial productivity improvements, even though these cannot be calculated precisely in advance. Moreover, there are cost savings by eliminating the use of in-house server capacity. Alpha trans is saving 25,000 euros a year just by eliminating the hardware, according to Eichenseher.
Johannes Riege, managing director of Riege Software International, is delighted with the results for pilot customer alpha trans. “Scope is a real quantum leap for transport management systems,” he explains. “The completely new graphical user interface, the user-friendly intelligent functionality and the compatibility result in significant improvements in efficiency and reduce costs substantially, as the case of alpha trans shows.”
The Scope module for sea freight exports is currently being developed and will be delivered with release 2.10 at the end of this year. Alpha trans will then use all the Scope modules in its branches.
About alpha trans
The alpha trans Luft- und Seefrachtspedition GmbH & Co. KG was founded 30 years ago in Munich. It is a subsidiary of the textile logistics service provider Barth+Co. KG, Hallbergmoos. Alpha trans employs 70 staff at its head office and at five branches. In 2009 it generated revenues of about 30 million euros.
About Riege Software International
Riege Software International is based in Meerbusch, Germany, and provides multi-functional and integrated software solutions for air and sea freight operations, ground handling as well as customs services. A family run business and trusted partner of forwarders, carriers and manufacturing companies, Riege Software employs approximately 70 qualified staff. With profound industry experience and IT know-how the company implements and supports customer-specific projects in all aspects of standard and value-added services, offering a wide range of service and support. Riege Software International supports more than 250 customers worldwide with offices in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. The list of long-term customers who benefit from Riege software solutions includes Astracon, Dachser, DB Schenker, DSV, Geis SDV, Jet-Speed, Kerry Logistics, Logwin, UTi and Zufall.